KHNP Executives Who Put Up "You Enjoyed the Free Noodles" Banner Ultimately Replaced

KHNP Replaces Wolseong Headquarters Managers
Banners About Free Noodles in Gyeongju Spark Outrage
Disciplinary Action Planned for Senior Staff Involved

A banner put up by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Wolseong Nuclear Power Headquarters in downtown Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, which was taken down the same day after criticism from Gyeongju citizens. Photo by Yonhap News

The management team at the Wolseong Nuclear Power Headquarters of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), which sparked controversy by displaying a banner with "inappropriate language," has been replaced.

On October 2, KHNP announced that it had dismissed the head of the headquarters, the director of external cooperation, and the head of regional cooperation from their positions due to their responsibility for poor management at the Wolseong Nuclear Power Headquarters, and appointed successors. In addition to these personnel measures, KHNP stated that it also plans to discipline the relevant senior staff in accordance with regulations.

KHNP will strengthen employee competency and improve its communication system to enhance sensitivity in communication, in response to the recent issue surrounding the banner posted by the Wolseong Nuclear Power Headquarters.

Measures include strengthening training focused on local communication, establishing a feedback system from a third-party perspective, reinforcing the decision-making system, setting up inspection protocols, and engaging in community-based social service activities.

Furthermore, the management will directly oversee and inspect whether these improvement initiatives are being properly implemented.

Jeon Daeuk, Acting President of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (second from left), is apologizing to the public and citizens of Gyeongju on September 22 at the Gyeongju Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gyeongbuk regarding the banner phrase posted by the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Headquarters. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, on September 15, the Wolseong Nuclear Power Headquarters put up banners at 16 locations in downtown Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, with phrases such as, "Did you know that the Wolseong Nuclear Power Headquarters paid 219 billion won in local taxes to Gyeongju City over the past five years?" and "You enjoyed the free noodles provided by the headquarters during the recent Cherry Blossom Marathon, didn't you?" The banners were taken down the same day after citizens protested.

As the controversy grew, with Prime Minister Kim Minseok posting on social media that he would look into the matter, Jeon Daeuk, Acting President of KHNP, held a press conference at the Gyeongju Chamber of Commerce and Industry on September 22 to apologize to the public and the citizens of Gyeongju.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.